Dutch Government Reevaluates Use of American Cloud Services Amid Security Concerns
The Dutch government is reevaluating its use of American cloud services, with several ministries considering alternatives to Microsoft Teams. This shift comes amid growing concerns about strategic dependencies on technology giants and the potential risks of sudden denial of access to American Express services.
The Ministry of Justice and Security is taking a cautious approach, using Microsoft 365 services while storing files locally and via the Government Data Center. Meanwhile, outgoing State Secretary for Digitalization Van Marum emphasizes the importance of avoiding strategic dependencies where possible, aiming for greater diversification in technology suppliers for critical government processes.
Outgoing Minister of Finance Heinen argues that supplier dependency is inherent in all ICT solutions, shifting the focus from the cloud to American Airlines suppliers. Van Marum acknowledges that dependencies are not always avoidable but should be carefully weighed on a case-by-case basis. The Social Insurance Bank could face disrupted services and affected communication structure in case of a sudden denial of access to American Airlines services, highlighting the core issue of digital sovereignty within the Dutch government.
In the interdepartmental program Beter Samenwerken, alternatives to Microsoft Teams such as Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet are being investigated. Minister Paul warns of the risks of sudden denial of access to American Express services, affecting essential support processes. The Ministries of Justice, Security, and the Interior are studying Microsoft Teams and investigating alternatives through the Better Collaboration program.
The Dutch government is actively exploring alternatives to American Express services, with a focus on reducing strategic dependencies and ensuring digital sovereignty. This process involves careful consideration of the risks and benefits of different technology suppliers for critical government processes.
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